Around the state: An audit concludes that only 19 of 53 Broward high school intercom systems are functioning properly, Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill to strengthen security at Jewish day schools and preschools, several education-related laws are among the 200 or so that go into effect July 1, Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials confirmed that the agency is investigating state Rep. Carolina Amesty, the Florida Board of Governors could remove physics from a list of 12 college degree programs that are eligible for tuition and fee waivers, the president of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens has resigned, and a Lake County middle school teacher who quit his job to concentrate on making the Olympic team has succeeded. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Only 19 of 53 high school intercom systems are “properly functioning” after being replaced with ones that are supposed to help during an emergency, according to a district audit. In 2019, the district bought a system that was not equipped for emergencies and failed in an attempt to upgrade it, the audit concluded. The switch from a traditional intercome system to an emergency one caused “massive delays in project execution, cost overruns and failure to install a functional intercom system at 53 schools,” states the audit. Five years after the contract was awarded, only 19 of the 53 systems are at or near completion. District officials contend they have a “functioning fire and intercom system” that is being upgraded. Sun Sentinel. The district’s program to install metal detectors at all high schools began Monday at Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines and J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, which are both open for summer school. Superintendent Howard Hepburn said the goal is to have the detectors installed in all 31 high schools by the first day of the fall semester Aug. 14. WPLG. WSVN. WFOR. WTVJ.
Orange: Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials confirmed Monday that the agency is investigating state Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, and her family’s nonprofit school, Central Christian University. The nature of the investigation was not disclosed. It was reported in March that Amesty notarized a document that she said a school official signed, but he has denied it was his signature. Orlando Sentinel. Orlando City Council members tentatively agreed Monday to move ahead with a proposal to place speed detection cameras in city school zones. A final vote is scheduled next month. WKMG. Spectrum News 13. WOFL. WESH.
Palm Beach: An exceptional student education teacher at Osceola Creek Middle School in Loxahatchee was arrested Saturday and accused of molesting one of his 8th-grade students. District police said Keith Knight, 25, is charged with molestation on a victim 12 to 16 years old and being an authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student. In a call to parents, district officials said Knight “will not be returning to our school.” WPTV. WPEC.
Duval: Some parents are accusing the school district of using inaccurate information to justify the closing of some schools. For example, a report supporting the demolition of John Stockton Elementary School in Jacksonville cites failing HVAC systems from 1955 that are no longer at the school, according to the parents. School board member Charlotte Joyce said, “If it’s wrong on one school, it could be wrong on other schools, and then that really affects the whole master facility plan.” WTLV. District officials are offering certain students the use of a free laptop for the summer as a way to extend learning beyond the end of the school year. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a district school and show their need in their application. WJAX.
Pinellas, Pasco: While many large school districts in the state are closing schools to deal with declining enrollment and budget pressures, Pinellas and Pasco officials are trying to fix the issues without losing the schools that many neighborhoods are closely connected to. “It’s a sensitive topic that we have to look at carefully,” said Betsy Kuhn, Pasco’s assistant superintendent for support services. Tampa Bay Times.
Lake: There’s a job opening in the district after a Windy Hill Middle School robotics teacher qualified for the U.S. team in the Olympics. Donavon Banks finished third in the Olympic trials for the javelin throw and will be headed to Paris for the Summer Olympics. Principal Kelly Cousineau said a watch party will be held at the school next month to see Banks compete. WESH.
Sarasota: School board members will enter into discussions next month to possibly settle a complaint with the widower of a late purchasing department employee who claimed she had been racially harassed and bullied for four years and then threatened with termination. Elsa Beal filed the complaint in 2020. When she died in late 2021, the complaint was pursued by her husband Craig. Last week the board agreed to discuss a settlement in a closed-door meeting July 16. Charlotte Sun.
Clay: Nineteen-year-old Matthew Mitchell just qualified as a candidate for the District 2 school board, and he’s already having to address accusations that’s he’s posted photos of alcohol and tobacco on his Snapchat social media account. He denied the account is his and said, “When you become the clear front-runner in a fielded race, negative attacks come to you.” He’s running against Robert Alvero, Sharon Flowers and James Hughes in the Aug. 20 primary. WJAX.
Colleges and universities: A Florida Board of Governors committee will consider a proposal to remove physics from the list of 12 college degree programs that are eligible for tuition and fee waivers because they align with “economic and workforce needs” of the state. BOG staff members are recommending that mechanical engineering replace physics. The BOG’s strategic planning committee will discuss the recommendation Thursday. News Service of Florida. Jaffus Hardrick has resigned as president of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, citing an unspecified health issue. Hardrick, 62, had led the school for five years. Former trustee chair William McCormick was named the interim president. Miami Herald. Miami Times.
Jewish school security: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday that requires the Florida Department of Education to create a program to fund security measures for Jewish day schools and preschools. About $20 million is in this year’s budget for such things as security cameras, fencing, shatter-resistant glass for windows and hiring security employees. The bill takes effect July 1. News Service of Florida. Florida Politics.
Laws effective July 1: Among the nearly 200 other laws signed by Gov. DeSantis that go into effect July 1 are several related to education: HB 49 eases regulations on work hours for 16- and 17-year-olds, including potential waivers for the 30-hour-a-week work limit during the school year; HB 931 allows districts to have volunteer chaplains in schools; SB 1264 requires the history of communism to be taught in public schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year; HB 1291 bans “identity politics” from being included in college teacher-preparation programs; SB 7002 cuts some regulations for public schools; and SB 7032 provides tuition and fee waivers for high school dropouts who later decide to pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at state colleges. News Service of Florida.
Opinions on schools: There is a movement all over the country, of educators looking to unleash their passion and creativity to help students, of families looking to control their own child’s education. The question, now, is how we build systems capable of supporting them. Travis Pillow, NextSteps. The numbers of individuals taking Florida teacher certification exams in STEM subjects for the first time declined again in 2023. That implies that the supply of new teachers will also continue to drop. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
